This episode of the Outback Way podcast is about the various events happening along the route in 2023 that would interest travellers planning their Outback Way adventures. There’s a whole host of activities and events happening in the different towns and regions along the Outback Way from Winton in QLD, through the NT and across to Laverton in WA. If you’re planning a trip this year, make sure you check out what’s on during your travel dates. This will be our second last podcast ever. We are...

In this episode, Helen chats with Adele Dyson from Caravanning with Kids, a website and online shop dedicated to sharing stories, tips and recommendations about caravanning with kids. Adele tells Helen how her family got started caravanning and why they started the website. There is now also two large Facebook groups, Aussie Big Lappers and Caravan Homemaker’s Hub which you can find via their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/caravanningwithkids/ Adele shares some recommendations and...

In this episode of the Outback Way Podcast, Helen speaks with David Elliot, the Executive Chairman of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton. They discuss the history of how the museum came to be, after discovery of dinosaur fossils in the area, and the potential for regional Queensland and ongoing opportunities for the town of Winton. David tells us about the different types of fossils they’ve got and the work they are doing to develop it as a destination as Australia’s Natural...

In this episode, Helen chats to Laurinda Hill, the Manager of the Great Beyond Centre at Laverton in WA. They’ve had a brand new extension put onto the Visitor Information Centre and have really enhanced a lot of their tourism attractions over the last 18 months - 2 years. Laurinda updates us on the refurbishments and expansion of the centre, including the activities available now and the audio tour, the cafe and gift shop, the Explorers Hall of Fame and the interpretive garden that...

The National Portrait Gallery is putting on an exhibition in Winton from 21st May 2022 to 21st of June. Helen speaks with Creator of Exhibitions for the National Portrait Gallery, Penny Grist about this significant exercise. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @OutbackWay1 You can find all notes and links on our website, www.outbackway.org.au where you can subscribe to our newsletter, buy our guidebook and download the app if you haven't already. Join us on Facebook and...

In this episode, Helen has a great conversation with Alex Chalmers, one of the co-owners of Gemtree on the Plenty Highway. Gemtree is a mixed business, offering accommodation, gem fossicking and setting, tours and the famous Camp Over Dinners. Helen and Alex chat about the mix of visitors to Gemtree, both long term fossickers and interstate visitors, keen to experience fossicking. Alex shares what kind of stones you can find at Gemtree, about the tours, as well as what facilities are there...

In this episode Helen has a chat to Julie Woodhouse, the Community Services Manager at Boulia in Western Qld, all about the updates and attractions in the town. A revitalised and refurbished Min Min Encounter is waiting for you to visit! Helen also shares some announcements, including the amazing news from February 2022 of an extra $678 million to complete the sealing of the Outback Way. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @OutbackWay1 You can find all notes and links on our...

In this episode, Helen shares the 7 Principals of the Leave No Trace approach to travelling the Outback Way, which is so important to protect our beautiful country for the future. There are many designated camping and caravanning sites along the length of the Outback Way and Helen lists them, as well as the Visitor Information Centre contact details for help planning your trip. The Visitor Information Centres on the Outback Way are: Laverton (08) 9031 1361; Yulara (08) 8957 7324; Alice...

Helen shares a bit about the realities of driving the Outback Way, especially in light of the stretches of bull dust that you can encounter. The Outback Way is 2700km long however much of it is not sealed and is in fact a gravel road only suitable for 4WD vehicles and off road campers/caravans. At the time of recording in September 2021, the gravel sections are from Laverton in WA through to Kata Tjuta in the NT, and then again from Hart’s Range in the NT through to Boulia in QLD. While...

Helen speaks with Robyn Stephens, the Event Coordinator for the Winton Outback Festival which in 2021 is happening from the 21st to 26th September in Winton, QLD. Robyn tells us about the action packed program, including all the family events, the sporting and music events, the many workshops on offer and the special historical milestones coming up. Helen and Robyn discuss the whip cracking Little Swaggies event for children, the Australian Dunny Derby which is now in its 30th year, the...

Today’s episode is a panel discussion held at the recent Outback Highway Development Company Annual General Meeting. We hear from Tannis Godfrey, from Tobermorey Station; Kerryn Santucci, the Logistics Manager for Oz Minerals in Western Australia on the Great Central Road; Mike Batchelor, the Business Development Officer for Qube Logistics; David Elliot, Chairman of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs at Winton in Queensland; and Ben Hewitt, the Chief Operations Officer for Hewitt Cattle...

In this episode, Mel Forbes, the project manager of the Building Better Regions Outdoor Art Gallery Project, shares some additional information about the project. This diverse exhibition showcases the artistic talent across the Outback Way from photography, indigenous art, sculptures, abstracts and landscapes. The billboards are all positioned on the majestic background of the East MacDonnel ranges in Central Australia. Mel outlines what’s on each billboard in order from West to East, if...

In this episode, Helen speaks with David Bradley, an optometrist based in Brisbane. For many years David has been servicing the Ngaanyatjarra lands out at Warburton and Warakurna on the Great Central Road with Optometry services to those Indigenous and remote communities. David tells us about the background of the optometry services he provides to the Ngaanyatjarra communities, including the training program for university optometry students that he facilitates, and what he’s seen change...

This episode is all about the economic value for industry throughout and along the Outback Way. The Outback Highway Development Council (OHDC) has been running some industry briefing Zoom meetings updating people who have people businesses about the value that the Outback Way, when sealed, will deliver for those businesses and communities. This episode is a recording of one of those industry briefings held in early June 2021. The speakers you will hear are Helen Lewis, host of the Outback...

This episode is about the Outback Way Outdoor Gallery, which is a project we’ve been working on for the last couple of years and it will be launched in July 2021. It has been an enormous project with lots of twists and turns but we have finally finished and it is actually now ready to view. So if you have been travelling along the Plenty Highway you may have been wondering what these billboards are, and this episode will give you a bit of background. This is a pre-recorded episode from...

This episode is about the Queensland Boulder Opal Association Opal Festival which in 2021 is on 9-10 July. This is a pre-recorded episode from the 2018 festival, but this will give you a great sense of what the festival is like. Helen interviews Alison Summerville about the beautiful and unique Queensland Boulder Opal. Alison is the secretary of the Queensland Boulder Opal Association in Winton in western Queensland, and comes from an opal mining family. In this episode, Alison shares how...

This episode is about the Alice Springs Beanie Festival which in 2021 is on 24th June. This is a pre-recorded episode from the 2018 festival, but this will give you a great sense of what the festival is like. Helen also outlines the upcoming events along the Outback Way in 2021 and excitingly, has an update about the Outback Way Outdoor Gallery launch in June. Helen interviews Jo Nixon about why Alice Springs is the Beanie capital of the world! Jo shares a bit about the background of the...

This episode is about The Middleton Pub, and Lester Cain who is the great publican out there. Please stop off if you're planning your trip between Boulia and Winton, or between Queensland and Alice Springs. There's some great historical items to visit out there too. In other news, the Outback Way Travel Journal is now available through the website at outbackway.org.au/shop We've also been down to Canberra for further lobbying with a delegation and Helen shares a bit about that. Helen speaks...

This episode is about The Middleton Pub, and Lester Cain who is the great publican out there. Please stop off if you're planning your trip between Boulia and Winton, or between Queensland and Alice Springs. There's some great historical items to visit out there too. In other news, the Outback Way Travel Journal is now available through the website at outbackway.org.au/shop We've also been down to Canberra for further lobbying with a delegation and Helen shares a bit about that. Helen speaks...

Helen interviews Paul Ah Chee, The director of Engagement and Culture of Northern Territory Major Events. Paul and Helen chat about the amazing light show called Parrtjima, which is happening again in Alice Springs from the 9-18 April 2021. Parrtjima is a free event run over 10 days, featuring amazing light displays in the evenings and some workshops and activities during the day. It's a great family event for all ages. Helen and Paul talk about the history of Parrtjima, which started in...

In this episode, Helen does a bit of a recap of 2020 and what has been a very homebound year for tourism, obviously. Helen gives some updates about the Outback Way projects, including the sealing of sections in WA, plus the Travel Journal and Outdoor Gallery. The Travel Journal will be available by mid-February 2021, you can pre-order here: outbackway.org.au/shop/ Helen shares a bit about the Travel Journal and how it helps you plan your trip on the Outback Way. The Outback Way Outdoor...

In this episode, Helen does a bit of a recap of 2020 and what has been a very homebound year for tourism, obviously. Helen gives some updates about the Outback Way projects, including the sealing of sections in WA, plus the Travel Journal and Outdoor Gallery. The Travel Journal will be available by mid-February 2021, you can pre-order here: outbackway.org.au/shop/ Helen shares a bit about the Travel Journal and how it helps you plan your trip on the Outback Way. The Outback Way Outdoor...